If you encounter a person in crisis, experience a person in distress, or observe a person who is threatening danger to self or others, please refer to the below Distressed Person Response Guide.
The Owens Behavioral and Threat Assessment Team (OBTAT) strives to uphold the behavioral standards of the College community by identifying at-risk persons and connecting them to appropriate resources.
The goal is to maintain a violence-free environment by intervening before a potentially threatening or disruptive behavior escalates.
OBTAT awareness of and response to such behaviors is dependent upon receiving timely reporting regarding any situation that is believed to be of concern.
The OBTAT does not respond directly to emergencies. In such situations, call 9-1-1.
The role of Owens Behavioral and Threat Assessment Team
Our Purpose
To evaluate the behaviors of Owens Community College students, employees and guests that are perceived to be threatening or disruptive (to others, to themselves or both) for the purpose of recommending appropriate interventions.
The OBTAT’s primary objectives are to identify at-risk persons and connect them with suitable resources in order to promote a violence-free educational environment and workplace.
Threatening or disruptive behaviors may include:
- Verbal or written threats of harm to self or others
- Inability to move past workplace conflicts, grievances or perceived injustices
- Social withdrawal or severe discomfort in social settings
- Expressed paranoia or mistrust of supervisors, colleagues or others
- Angry outbursts or inappropriate expressions of anger and hostility towards others
- Evidence of substance abuse
- Fascination or preoccupation with violence and/or weapons
Reporting Process
If a life-threatening situation exists, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Please call DPS at (567) 661-7575. After you have called 9-1-1 or DPS, complete one of the reporting forms below or notify the OBTAT directly.
Students who wish to make a report, please contact the Office of Student Life.
Incident Reporting Form: Click HERE
Phone: (567) 661-2569
Toledo-area Campus, College Hall 152
Employees who wish to make a report:
All employees and supervisors should contact an OBTAT member if they have a concern about an employee who is displaying behaviors that may interfere with their ability to be successful in the workplace or whose behavior is substantially interfering with the work environment of colleagues.
Questions may be directed to the Human Resources Department by calling (567) 661-7292 or emailing human_resources@owens.edu.
Anonymous Reporting
If you wish to anonymously report, please fill out the Incident Reporting Form.
Anonymously reported information is routed to the appropriate area. For example, information about students is routed to Student Life, while information pertaining to employees is routed to Human Resources.
The OBTAT Process
All referrals to the OBTAT will be reviewed by its core members upon receipt. If necessary, the OBTAT will meet to discuss the information shared to determine the next steps. (Note: any member of the team may call a meeting if needed.)
If required, additional members of the community will be asked to attend this meeting to describe observed behaviors of concern.
The OBTAT will determine an action plan for each reviewed referral and, if needed, work with College police for support in any required separations.
The OBTAT meets on a regular basis to stay connected to ongoing or new issues to ensure all referrals have been handled and communication to stakeholders has occurred.
OBTAT Members
- Vice President for Human Resources or a Human Resources designee responsible for Employee/Labor Relations
- Police Chief or designee from the Owens Community College Police Department
- Provost or designee from Academics
- Vice President, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs or designee from Student Affairs
- Employee Assistance representative or a mental health counselor
At its discretion, the OBTAT will invite others to join a meeting and/or will follow up with the President.
Members must exercise excellent judgment, problem-solving skills and crisis intervention knowledge. As well, they must maintain confidentiality.
All team members have been trained on violence prevention, risk assessment and intervention and continue to participate in ongoing training and professional development.
Additional College Resources
To best address student and employee behaviors, a referral to College and/or community resources may be recommended.
Department of Public Safety
Phone: (567) 661-7575
Toledo-area Campus: Alumni Hall
Findlay-area Campus, Education Center, Room 115
The Care Team
The CARE Team’s responsibilities include gathering and sharing information, discussing concerns about a student within a setting or across multiple settings and managing situations that encompass a variety of issues.
Click HERE for Care Team details.
Campus Counseling Center
Contact the Campus Counseling Center at counselingservices@owens.edu or call them at (567) 661-7028
Title IX
For more Title IX information please contact titleix@owens.edu or (567) 661-7606
Title IX Coordinator:
Dr. Blake Renner, Vice President, Enrollment Management & Student Affairs
Toledo-area Campus, College Hall 155
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Services are available to all employees and can be accessed through the intranet by going to “Human Resources” and then “Benefits,” or by calling (800) 854-1446 or (800) 999-3004 TTY/TDD.
The EAP provides:
- Confidential online resources
- Confidential online and in-person counseling sessions (related to life, family and health crises involving stress and depression)
- Advice and counseling from nurses and other medical professionals
Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Statement:
Owens Community College strongly opposes and will not tolerate harassment or discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status or veteran status.